Frost Bake Shop (Memphis)

Psst. Memphians. Guess what?

Frost Bake Shop opens TODAY!

I have been followed the family-owned operation on Facebook and driven by its new Laurelwood storefront all summer long in hopes that construction could end early. However, I was honored to be invited early this week to the original Bartlett kitchen to try their buzz-worthy treats.

The term "homemade" has clearly been taken for granted in the recent craze of consumerism and mass production. Frost Bake Shop brings its meaning back home. In the Frost kitchen, you will not find cake mixes, shortening or store-bought frosting. Instead, you'll find dedicated employees zesting oranges, whipping buttercream with only cream cheese and butter and mixing a consistent, moist batter.

My favorite part soon arrived...the tasting.

I tried strawberry, banana and chocolate cupcakes AND a tiramisu.

The photo shows just a glimpse of the moist cake with light buttercream dollops. Did you know that each batch of banana cupcakes has one pound of bananas and walnuts? The strawberry batch has one pound of strawberries in each, too. You can't get more "legit" than that in the baking world.

I understand that you have to be a coffee fan to truly enjoy a slice of tiramisu, but this homemade beauty has got it goin' on. Each lady finger is hand-dipped in espresso. The mascarpone is airy and sweet (I could eat in alone with a spoon), and the cocoa powder is a lovely touch on top. I would never think to order tiramisu at a traditional cake shop, but this blew my expectations out of the water.

Visit Frost Bake Shop in the Laurelwood Shopping Center today! Their bright and cheery storefront has everything you need: cupcakes, cakes, pies, coffee, comfy seating and a wonderful staff. Take care of your sweet tooth and tell me what you think!

Hog and Hominy Lunch (Memphis)

Oops. Maybe you've also noticed that I've already critiqued Hog & Hominy once last winter (here). The trendy Memphis restaurant, which was written up in the New York Times this summer, has become more and more of a favorite every time I enter. 

Why does it deserve a second round on Caramelized? Well, last week marked my first lunch visit with an almost entirely different menu. Also, the awesome hostess reads my blog and was sweet enough to compliment it. Thanks, Charlotte! Lastly, these pictures are just too good not to share.

Here is what Alex, Caroline and I took full advantage of on H&H's lunch menu:

The summer squash farmers side with brown butter, herbs and garlic. The multi-colored veggies were well roasted, crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside. I couldn't get enough.

The Baia pizza. This pie reminded me more of a margherita than the menu's Margherita itself! Juicy cherry tomatoes were way better than a typical marinara spread, and huge slices of garlic added a pop to every bite. The chili oil, or olio santo, took this one up a notch in the spice category. We didn't leave one crumb on the tray.

I fell in a whole lotta love with my Lata Love sandwich. Shrimp, benton bacon, lettuce and tomato on super buttery bread. ORDER THIS, trust me. The shrimp tastes like lobster and the bacon is super crispy. My tip? Add fried egg. It enhances the sandwich by lightyears.

Make the most of your next lunch break, fellow Memphians!